“Ah don't know. This feels wrong.” Apple Bloom said with a hint of nervousness in her voice. She glanced at the other two fillies with her, all now standing before the black curtain that swayed in a taunting manner, as if they'll never know what's inside.

“You're kidding, right? That's the best kind of feeling!” Scootaloo did a small flip in the air, her tiny wings straining to hold the weight. “Besides, the grown ups telling us not to go back there makes it all the more exciting!”

Sweetie Belle only nodded in approval, curious what her sister was hiding from her. But once again, as she had gotten hold of the curtain cord, magic intervened.

“Am I going to have to ban you from the shop?” Rarity asked, sounding a bit angrier than last time.

“No, Miss Rarity.” Apple Bloom glanced at the floor. Scootaloo could only stifle a chuckle.

“If I must, I'll have you sleep in the tree house with your friends! I don't want any of you going back there! Understand?”

The three nodded, defeat on their faces.

“Good.” Rarity sighed, running a hoof through her frazzled mane. “Now then, off you go!” she shooed them out the door once more. What was going on here? Sweetie Belle thought.

“I don't think Rarity's being very generous.” Scootaloo remarked, sitting on her rump and crossing her hooves.

Apple Bloom glanced around in thought, before her eyes widened. “Maybe we don't have to go back there!”

“Huh?” the other two asked in unison.

“We just wait until somepony goes in, and gets something from back there. Then we'll follow them and see what it is!”

“That's a great idea!” Sweetie Belle exclaimed, leaping up into the air.

“Aw, I coulda thought of that.” Scootaloo waved a hoof.

“But who do we follow first....” Apple Bloom thought to herself, tapping a hoof on her chin. She looked up to see Twilight Sparkle cantering up to the shop.

“Quick! Hide!” Apple Bloom whispered, and the three dove in the bushes. They watched as Twilight approached the door and knocked. Rarity opened up.

“Darling, what brings you here?”

“Well, I've been reading some books about, your items and.....well...” she glanced away, her blush returning with a vengeance now as she nervously tapped her hooves on the ground.

Rarity nodded. “An experiment, no doubt.”

“YEAH!” Twilight replied with enthusiasm, snapping her gaze back to Rarity. “Uh, I mean....yeah...” she tried to remain calm.

The white unicorn smiled knowingly, but didn't say anything. “Right this way, dear. I got just the thing.”

Twilight swallowed her butterflies as she followed Rarity into the shop. Even though she had been in here a million times before, for some reason the weight of the situation made it seem like this was her first time, and she was about to make a terrible impression. She snapped from her thoughts when she saw Rarity stop before a deep black curtain, and with a small, graceful yank on the rope with her teeth, it drew back to reveal what three little fillies sought so long to observe.

It was a modest sized room, no bigger than a closet, and had several shelves filled with various objects and toys, illuminated by a few candles in elaborate holders. Twilight followed Rarity into the small space, and looked around at some of the items, wondering how a mind as well read as hers could overlook such perverse uses for mundane tools.

“Is that a....” she asked, pointing a hoof to a selection of colorful toys, all resembling parts of male anatomy, though not all were pony based.

“Yes dear. I've got pony, dragon, griffon, Diamond Dog, and others. You'd be surprised the sensations they can cause!”

“You've tried them?” Twilight recoiled in disgust, though not really meaning to.

“Heavens no, darling! Just from what I've read.” Rarity stuck her nose in the air at such an accusation.

“Well, which one should I....experiment on.” Twilight bit her lip as she tried to keep her lie in check, but looking at Rarity's smile met that she knew anyway, so she just sighed and gave up. “Should I try, I mean.”

Rarity tapped her chin in thought, glancing around the shelf. “Ah! Here we go!” she used her magic to levitate a small, pony shaped toy down to Twilight. “I know you're probably saving yourself for somepony special, so this one will ensure pleasure without taking away what you prize most.”

Twilight knew what she meant, but that didn't make it feel any better. Why do I feel so nervous? This is a natural process! she told herself. Maybe it was the unspoken feeling that Celestia would find out and be disappointed. Perhaps more, it was the fact that someone like her felt she would never find a colt to settle down with.

That was it! This whole process made her depressed. She felt pathetic at having to result to simulation because nopony would take the time to get to know her. Such was the life of an asocial bookworm, she supposed.

“Now will that be cash or credit, dear?” Rarity snapped Twilight from her depressing thoughts, and only got a weak smile in reply. She knew what was going through Twilight's head and it was perfectly natural for a poor girl like her. Maybe she could do something to make her feel better, or at least, show her other possibilities.

“We'll follow Twilight!” Apple Bloom finally spoke when the coast was clear.

“I don't know. It doesn't seem right to spy on our friends like this.” It was Sweetie Belle's turn to have reservations.

“You two worry too much! We'll just....” Scootaloo was cut off when she was rudely shoved back into the bush. The door to the boutique opened and Twilight stepped out, glancing around nervously as the large bag in her mouth swayed back and forth. Figuring that she didn't have to explain anything, she headed back home.

“Cutie Mark Crusaders! Private Detectives!”